I came to the room where I soon saw a long table with many dishes set upon it. The Queen and King were already there chatting. When they saw me, they motioned us over. William tugged on me, "Come sit by me!"

I forced a smile at him and allowed him to pull me over to sit down. I could see the Queen and King watching me. I smiled at them, but realized something seemed off. The Queen looked at the King with an irritated frown as the King looked away feeling awkward. The King muttered to himself, "So it really was true…"

The Queen clicked her tongue, "Of course it was! Since you don't understand how to be loyal to your wife! How many does it make this time?"

"Darling… You know I only have you in my eyes…"

"Pah! I am sure you will say that to your next woman. I have had enough! After this we are taking a trip to my family's villa. We will be staying there until you learn how to behave and stop hitting on all these women!"

"But darling…"

William tilted his head, "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing." They said in unison.

The King cleared his throat, "Anyway, please start eating."

I didn't reach for my plate and watched as William ate. Queen Luna noticed that I wasn't eating and frowned, "What is it? Is something wrong? Are the dishes not to your liking?"

I shook my head, "I can't afford this."

The King was shocked, "This boy looks like he will faint from lack of food, yet he can still restrain himself so well. I am impressed by his maturity."

William paused and puffed out his cheeks, "I can restrain myself too!"

The King shook his head, "Prince William, it is not a competition. Stop acting so childish."

William sat back and crossed his arms feeling wronged. Queen Luna spoke to me gently, "Dante, you don't need to pay for this food. It's free."

I looked at her closely, "I was told that nothing in this world is free."

The King laughed rambunctiously, "It is not wrong!"

The Queen sighed as she shook her head. Then she turned to me with a smile, "I would like for you to be William's playmate. This child acts indifferently towards others and because of that he has no friends. However, he treats you differently. If you become his friend, I can allow you to stay here and provide your meals and other necessities."

William choked, "M-Mother! Are you trying to buy me friends?!"

She frowned at him, "I wouldn't have to if you acted sociable." William clicked his tongue in irritation. The Queen scolded him, "Stop clicking your tongue! A Prince does not act so rudely."

I watched as the three of them conversed so naturally. So this is what it is like to have a family? It is not so bad.... It is a bit loud.

I reached forward and began to eat my meal. They stopped talking and smiled as I ate. After dinner they brought us out a slice of cake. I looked at it in surprise. William glanced at me, "What? Have you never seen a cake before?"

I shook my head, "No."

"R-Really?!"

"It was a joke."

"Oh…" I watched William quickly devour his cake. Once he finished, he raised his fork, "One more!"

The King frowned, "William. It is unbecoming of a Prince to eat so much cake. I know you are young, but you must start acting like a young Prince!"

William deflated from the scolding. I noticed his depressed expression and pushed my cake to him, "You can have mine."

The Queen was surprised, "Dante, you don't need to give him that. If anyone should have some, it is you."

I shrugged, "It's fine. I don't care much for sweet things."

However, since the Prince clearly does, what is the harm in giving him mine?

The King watched me with admiration in his eyes. The Queen sighed, "Very well."

That night, I was escorted to a room next to William's. The Queen stopped me once we were alone. She bent down and looked at me with a serious expression, "Dante. I will allow you to stay here, eat our food, and protect you, but you must promise me one thing."

I hesitated, "What is it?"

"You must promise that you will never harm Prince William in any way. You must always stay at his side and protect him. From this day forward, you must live for Prince William. You must become his blade and never betray him."

I looked into her eyes and nodded, "I promise."

And I did. I worked hard to become William's personal Knight. I started training from dawn to dusk just so I could protect William. I never left his side and I always gave him my piece of cake. I wasn't angry about doing this. In fact, this was the only thing that kept me living.

Protecting William was my new purpose in life.

That was…

Until I met the one who could make me truly smile.

….

It was several years later when I went to a tea party. I followed William around in boredom as we walked through the grounds. We stopped when we heard several children shouting. William raised an eyebrow, "Looks like Ilene is causing trouble again."

I didn't care enough to comment. William left me to go over to speak to them. I looked up at the sky apathetically. When will I be able to go home? These events are always so exhausting. If there was one thing I hate more, it's these girls fawning over us like we were accessories. I always have to act friendly with a smile and it always tires me out.

I walked over to the group and saw William talking to Ilene who was pretending to cry. Next to him was a honey blonde haired girl who looked irritated. Beside her was a girl with wild brown hair that flipped up unnaturally. She was wearing a dress that was clearly old and worn out. Unlike the others, her expression was…

…Completely clueless.

Whatever. I guess I need to go save William from this.

I jogged over with a bright smile, "William, I heard your mother is asking for you."

"Oh sh*t."

I blinked in surprise from hearing such a small girl say a word that not even adults would use. It was a word I would usually only hear spoken at the brothel.

Ilene feigned innocence, "William, Dante. Please forgive Seri's cursing. She hit her head when she fell."

I see. This weird girl is called Seri.

William didn't care, "Ah."

I guess I should keep up my act and comfort her. Although... All I really want to do is practice my swordsmanship...

I stepped towards her with a friendly smile, "Ah, Seri. Are you alright?"

She immediately stepped away from me with a disgusted expression on her face. She looked me up and down like I was a repulsive being.

Wait wait wait.

Why did she just step away from me?

Why is she looking at me like I am so disgusting?!

Surely I am acting normal, right? I mean… I am smiling…

I am acting completely normal! She's the one acting weird! Not me!

I quickly excused myself and William in order to avoid showing my surprise. I winked at the girls and turned to see Seri's expression. However, contrary to everyone else, she wasn't acting like she had been swept off her feet. Instead, she looked as if she was realizing a horrible truth.

Such a peculiar girl…

After that encounter, it was William's idea to get closer to her. Apparently, she had piqued his interest. I can understand why too. This girl was extremely funny. Whenever I was around her, I could actually laugh.

I didn't have to force it either.

William and I attended her birthday party since Queen Luna was rather fond of her. There, I watched as William began to grind his teeth and tap his foot impatiently. I glanced at him with a forced smile, "What is it?"

William clicked his tongue, "She is up to something. I just know it."

I raised an eyebrow, "How do you know?"

William looked at me in disbelief, "How do you not know? I watch her just laughing into thin air for no reason. Even the students from her class said she was laughing like a crazed person while writing something. They thought she was possessed!"

"Ah."

William sighed, "That's all you have to say?"

I shrugged, "I haven't been paying much attention."

When Seri suddenly appeared, she seemed to be angry that we were at her birthday party. I smiled as I watched William argue with her as she teased him so easily. She chuckled arrogantly, "You know William, they say when a boy makes fun of a girl it means he likes her."

I watched as William immediately turned bright red and could say nothing in response. This poor naïve boy. He still shows his inner thoughts so obviously. He clearly had a crush on her. Anyone would be able to see that.

Well I guess it is a good thing I am here to protect him. He would probably get taken advantage of if I wasn't around.

As they argued, I merely stood off to the side smiling. Seri shouted, "I will become a Knight by blackmailing Dante into teaching me!"

My smile froze, "Huh?"

Wait. Why is she trying to blackmail me? I've just been listening and smiling the entire time. Why am I suddenly being targeted?

Once we discovered her plan, she quickly made a bet that if she beat William in an arm-wrestling competition, he would make her a Knight. Surprisingly enough, she did actually end up beating him.

By cheating of course.

However, I decided that I should have some fun.

I sat down across from her, "You can have William make you a Knight, but I won't teach you unless you beat me too."

"You're on."

She grabbed my hand and we started. I chuckled with a carefree smile as I watched her struggle to beat me. Unlike William, I wasn't afraid of anything. There was no way she could win by cheating. At least, not against me.

Heh. So is this what having fun feels like? It's nice. I guess I should let her win so she can keep entertaining me.

*CHOMP*

My heart immediately did a flip as shockwaves were sent through my body. My heart quivered at the feeling of being bit. She immediately took advantaged of my shocked state to push my hand down. I was still frozen as I stared at my hand which now had a bite mark.

It wasn't because I had just lost.

It was because for the first time in my life I actually felt something. Something that made me feel strange while also making me want to feel it again. I immediately stood up and turned away. My usual smile disappeared and only my expressionless face was left.

"Eh? Dante? Are you embarrassed?" I watched as Seri stepped to look at my expression. I promptly turned away from her.

Eh? Why is she looking at me?! I don't want to look at her right now!

Before I knew it, William suddenly grabbed onto me. I panicked, "Hey?! What are you doing! Let go!"

I can't hurt William since I made a promise to the Queen. So I halfheartedly struggled in his grip. However, while I was busy doing that, Seri suddenly tackled me. We all fell to the ground where William held down my shoulders while Seri sat on top of me.

WAIT! This position is even worse! My heart feels like it's going to explode! AH! I want it to stop, but I don't at the same time!

My face twitched as I felt my ears heat up even more as I saw how close her face was to mine. I struggled knowing I was losing control, "Stop! Get off!"

After this incident, I was more excited to train her. Although I went easy on her, just being able to spar with her was extremely refreshing. Every day, I looked forward to being able to knock her down on her backside. Seeing her lay on the ground with a scowl made my heart flutter.

I began to watch her more and more every day.

I felt entertained by her quirky actions and her not very well-planned ideas. She would be undeniably smart during certain classes, yet we could easily trick her. When she wanted to hide something, she could hide it. Even I couldn't see through her when she was acting unless she wanted me to. However, slowly she began to open up to me. She stopped putting up her guard around me and started showing her inner thoughts.

But I will never forget the moment I feel hopelessly in love with her.

For the first time, we were all alone. We sat in awkward silence as I smiled to keep her calm. She looked at me with a timid expression, "You know… You don't have to force yourself to smile around me."

I froze in surprise.

She continued, "You should only smile when you feel like smiling."

My smile fell as I watched her glance away from me. No one has ever said this to me. Ever since I could remember, everyone would always tell me to smile more. They would say that a handsome face like mine should always have a smile. Even William looked uncomfortable whenever I didn't have a smile on.

Yet… This girl was telling me not to.

I felt as though my heart was pierced by an arrow. It began to beat incessantly and I was sure that she would hear.

"Plus… It is really creepy when you smile like that."

For the first time, I smiled from the bottom of my heart. It wasn't a fake or forced smile like I usually had. It didn't hurt, but instead it felt extremely pleasant. My chest was warm as I watched her.

An uncontrollable urge to stay at her side erupted from within me.

I recalled the words my mother had said to me. One day, I would meet someone who would make me truly smile.

This girl…

I must make her mine.